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| USAAF 19th BG 93rd BS Former Assignments 7th BG 9th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Theodore B. Swanson (survived) Force landed February 3, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Boeing at Seattle. Constructors Number 2280. On December 23, 1941 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-17E Flying Fortress serial number 41-2469 and flown to McChord Field. Assigned to the 7th Bombardment Group (7th BG), 9th Bombardment Squadron (9th BS). No known nickname or nose art. This B-17 was ferried overseas by pilot 1st Lt. Theodore B. Swanson. Wartime History On January 21, 1942 arrived Java and transfered to the 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG), 93rd Bombardment Squadron (93rd BS). On January 25, 1942 took off from Singosari Airfield (Malang) on Java piloted by Lt. 1st Lt. Fred T. Crimmins, Jr. on a bombing mission against against Balikapapan. Due to bad weather, for formation consumed more fuel and returning from the mission, this bomber ran low on fuel and made a wheels down lading on Madera Island. Later, additional fuel arrived and the Dutch plus native laborers helped refueled the B-17 and over three days built an improvised runway in a clearing. On January 28, 1942 took off successfully and returned to Singosari Airfield (Malang). Mission History On February 3, 1942 took off piloted by 1st Lt. Theodore B. Swanson on a bombing mission against Balikapapan. Over the target, this B-17 was damaged by A6M2 Zeros hitting the left wing and no. 1 engine causing a fire. Unable to extinguish the fire, Swanson ordered five of the crew to bail out. The other three force landed the damaged B-17 on the beach at Arends Island off southern Borneo.The entire crew survived unhurt but the bomber was a total loss. Rescue The entire crew was rescued by a U.S. Navy (USN) PBY Catalina. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2469 "2469 delivered McChord Dec 23, 1941. Assigned 93rd BS, 19th BG Java Jan 21, 1942. Damaged and crash landed Arendis Is (Borneo) Feb 3, 1942. Crew picked up by PBY" Fortress Against The Sun (2001) pages 118, 120, 124-125, 385, 409 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated April 19, 2021
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